PSL season kicks off

Sport
THE Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) kicks off on Friday with Harare City opening the 2015 season with a match against Tsholotsho Football Club at Rufaro Stadium.

THE Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) kicks off on Friday with Harare City opening the 2015 season with a match against Tsholotsho Football Club at Rufaro Stadium.

THANDIWE MOYO SPORTS CORRESPONDENT

Last season Harare City, now coached by Taurai Mangwiro finished on position 11 with 38 points which was not too far off from the relegation zone.

They ended the season under the tutelage of Masimba Dinyero who had taken over from Bigboy Mawiwi who almost nicked the championship in 2013.

Mangwiro is assisted by former Highlanders coach Mkhuphali Masuku, Mike Madzivanyika and veteran goalkeepers’ trainer Richard Tswatswa.

Tsholotsho were promoted last season from the Zifa Southern Region Soccer League Division One and are coached by Lizwe Sweswe assisted by Under-20 Mighty Warriors mentor Sithethelelwe “Kwinji 15” Sibanda, becoming the first top-flight team with a female coach.

Harare City have been active on the market getting the services of Themba Ndlovu, Tendai Samanja, Tafadzwa Dube, Nicholas Alifandika, Honey Chimutimunzeve and former Kaizer Chiefs’ defender Lincoln Zvasiya.

Tsholotsho were not active, but acquired a number of players from former Warriors player Joel Luphahla’s Dubai 7 Academy-himself a native of the district.

They have Donald Tsvinyai, Rick Bota, Gerald Takwara, Erico Phiri, Mncedisi Gumede, Butholezwe Ncube, Evans Sibanda, Maclive Phiri, Lynoth Chikuhwa, Kudzanai Machazane, Blessing Ncube, Chang Marioni and William Sitima.

In other matches, FC Platinum will kick their campaign off with a match on Saturday against Dongo Sawmills at Mandava Stadium while Chicken Inn will host Flame Lilly at Luveve Stadium and defending champions Dynamos will be at home to Buffaloes at the National Sports Stadium.

FC Platinum are still smarting from their Young Africans of Tanzania encounter which saw them hammered 1-5 in the first leg first round of the Confederation Cup.

ZPC Kariba who contributed to Highlanders’ downward spiral last season will host the former league champions at Gwanzura on Saturday.

On Sunday, Triangle who are now coached by former Highlanders gaffer Kelvin Kaindu (pictured) will host Hwange at Gibbo Stadium with How Mine taking on Chapungu at Luveve Stadium while new boys Whawha play Caps United at Ascot Stadium.

Fixtures Friday: Harare City v Tsholotsho (Rufaro)

Saturday: FC Platinum v Dongo Sawmills (Mandava), Chicken Inn v Flame Lily (Luveve), Dynamos v Buffaloes (NSS), ZPC Kariba v Highlanders (Gwanzura)

Sunday: Triangle v Hwange (Gibbo), How Mine v Chapungu (Luveve),Whawha v Caps United (Ascot)